Ghana Pet Import Requirements

Every requirement below is taken from an official government page, and each one links to the page it comes from. The rules were last checked on 6 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked page again before you book.

Who is in charge

• Ghana's Veterinary Services Department (Ministry of Food and Agriculture) issues veterinary import permits. Applies to all imported animals.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026

Where your pet travels from

• One group: Ghana applies the same requirements to all origins. Listed disease tests must be done even where the disease is not present in the exporting country. Applies to all origins.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026

Import permit

• Pet animals are on the VSD list of items that need veterinary import approval and a permit.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• An import permit is needed; for dogs, it is only issued once negative test results and vaccination records are provided.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• For cats, a health attestation report and vaccination records must be provided before the permit is issued.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Permit turnaround is 72 working hours (3 working days), excluding weekends and Ghanaian public holidays. Applies to all imported animals.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Live animal permit applications go directly to the Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Services Department, Box M161, Accra, before importing, stating product, quantity and origin. Applies to live animals.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Per Australia DAFF guidance for exports from Australia: an import permit is required; contact the Veterinary Services Directorate. Applies to dogs exported from Australia.
  Live animals: Ghana, dogs, checked 6 October 2026

Microchip

• Not listed: the Ghana Veterinary Services Department import page publishes a list of what dogs importers must provide (disease test results and vaccination records (Brucella canis, Trypanosoma evansi, Babesia gibsoni, Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania spp., and the listed vaccinations)). It does not mention microchip or identification, so none is required. Read in full on 6 October 2026; no other official source (USDA APHIS certificate FEB 2020, UK 3901NFG revised 12/12/2023, DAFF MICoR) says Ghana requires it.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Not listed: the Ghana Veterinary Services Department import page publishes a list of what cats importers must provide (a health attestation report, vaccination records (feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, rabies) and a veterinary certificate). It does not mention microchip or identification, so none is required. Read in full on 6 October 2026; no other official source (USDA APHIS certificate FEB 2020, UK 3901NFG revised 12/12/2023, DAFF MICoR) says Ghana requires it.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026

Rabies vaccination

• Rabies is among the required dog vaccinations, which must be at least one month old (that is, given at least a month before departure) and valid for 12 months. Cats must have rabies on their vaccination records; no timing is set for cats.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
  Official sources differ

  UK APHA notes for guidance 3901NFG (revised 12/12/2023, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5bc5f5bbe5274a36357d5169/3901NFG.pdf) say Ghana requires rabies vaccination not more than 6 months before export. The VSD (importing authority) rule is preferred; a vaccination given between 1 and 6 months before export satisfies both, and UK exports must meet the 6 month limit because the UK certificate certifies it.
• Per UK APHA guidance for exports from Great Britain (3901NFG revised 12/12/2023): rabies vaccination not more than 6 months before export. This is stricter than the VSD page wording and is what the UK certificate certifies. Applies to dogs and cats exported from the UK.
  3901 notes for guidance, checked 6 October 2026

Rabies titre test

• Not required: the VSD lists every test a dog importer must provide (Brucella canis, Trypanosoma evansi, Babesia gibsoni, Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania spp.) and no rabies antibody test is among them. Cats need only a health attestation report, vaccination records and a veterinary certificate.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026

Health certificate

• Imported animals must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate signed by an official veterinarian. Applies to all imported animals.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Cats need a veterinary certificate signed by an official veterinary surgeon of the country of origin.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Per UK APHA guidance: animals must be examined by the Official Veterinarian not more than 48 hours before export. Applies to dogs and cats exported from the UK.
  3901 notes for guidance, checked 6 October 2026
• Per USDA APHIS guidance (certificate FEB 2020): the US to Ghana certificate is valid for 30 days after issuance. Applies to dogs and cats exported from the US.
  Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs and Cats from the United States of America to the Republic of Ghana, checked 6 October 2026

Other vaccines and tests

• Dogs must test negative for Brucella canis, Trypanosoma evansi, Babesia gibsoni, Dirofilaria immitis and Leishmania spp. before the permit is issued.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Laboratory reports are valid for 31 days; after that tests must be repeated before a permit is issued.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Dogs need vaccination against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis (L. canicola and L. icterohaemorrhagiae), parainfluenza and rabies; vaccinations must be at least one month old and valid for 12 months.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Cats need vaccination against feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis and rabies.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026

Parasite treatment

• Not listed: the Ghana Veterinary Services Department import page publishes a list of what dogs importers must provide (disease test results and vaccination records (Brucella canis, Trypanosoma evansi, Babesia gibsoni, Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania spp., and the listed vaccinations)). It does not mention worm, tick or other parasite treatment, so none is required. Read in full on 6 October 2026; no other official source (USDA APHIS certificate FEB 2020, UK 3901NFG revised 12/12/2023, DAFF MICoR) says Ghana requires it.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Not listed: the Ghana Veterinary Services Department import page publishes a list of what cats importers must provide (a health attestation report, vaccination records (feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, rabies) and a veterinary certificate). It does not mention worm, tick or other parasite treatment, so none is required. Read in full on 6 October 2026; no other official source (USDA APHIS certificate FEB 2020, UK 3901NFG revised 12/12/2023, DAFF MICoR) says Ghana requires it.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026

Quarantine

• Not listed: the Ghana Veterinary Services Department import page publishes a list of what dogs importers must provide (disease test results and vaccination records (Brucella canis, Trypanosoma evansi, Babesia gibsoni, Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania spp., and the listed vaccinations)). It does not mention quarantine on arrival, so none is required. Read in full on 6 October 2026; no other official source (USDA APHIS certificate FEB 2020, UK 3901NFG revised 12/12/2023, DAFF MICoR) says Ghana requires it.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Not listed: the Ghana Veterinary Services Department import page publishes a list of what cats importers must provide (a health attestation report, vaccination records (feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, rabies) and a veterinary certificate). It does not mention quarantine on arrival, so none is required. Read in full on 6 October 2026; no other official source (USDA APHIS certificate FEB 2020, UK 3901NFG revised 12/12/2023, DAFF MICoR) says Ghana requires it.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026

Arrival points and notice

• Inspection happens on arrival at VSD veterinary entry posts; the VSD has officers in charge at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and Tema Port. No list of designated pet entry points is published. Applies to all imported animals.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Per UK APHA guidance (3901NFG revised 12/12/2023): notice of intended import must be given to Ghana's Chief Veterinary Officer at least 4 weeks before arrival. The VSD page is silent on notice, so this rests on UK guidance; the VSD permit itself takes 3 working days. Applies to dogs and cats exported from the UK.
  3901 notes for guidance, checked 6 October 2026

Minimum age

• No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

How many pets

• No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

Banned and restricted breeds

• No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

How your pet may travel

• No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

Official fees

• Permit fees apply; inspection, sampling fees and penalties may be charged on arrival at veterinary entry posts. Fee amounts are not published. Applies to all imported animals.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026

Other conditions

• Only original laboratory reports are accepted; the laboratory may also email a copy to the Chief Veterinary Officer at vsd@mofa.gov.gh.
  Import Requirements | Veterinary Services Department, checked 6 October 2026
• Per UK APHA guidance (3901NFG revised 12/12/2023): Ghana requires a written owner or exporter declaration of where the animal was kept in the six months before shipment. The VSD page is silent on residence. Applies to dogs and cats exported from the UK.
  3901 notes for guidance, checked 6 October 2026